TORRINGTON – The Wyoming Highway Patrol Association recently issued a statement regarding an accident on February 12. The release further indicated Wyoming State Trooper Parker Smith responded to a motor vehicle accident on Wednesday morning, however it was not a typical accident. The trooper discovered the victims of the accident were his wife and two young children. 

“On the morning of February 12, Wyoming State Trooper Parker Smith experienced one of the most terrible calls a law enforcement officer can get – a serious injury vehicle crash involving severe injury to a small child. What makes this crash even more tragic is that when he arrived on the scene, he discovered the vehicle was his family’s minivan, carrying his wife and two children. Thankfully his wife, Aby, and four-year-old son, PJ, were not seriously injured,” the association explained Friday evening. “Two-year-old Christian, however, was seriously injured in the crash and was flown to Scottsbluff, Nebraska and then on to Children’s Hospital of Colorado for ongoing, advanced care.”

According to the statement, Christian’s injuries are significant and will warrant an extended hospital stay, creating an even bigger burden on the family. 

“Little Christian has a collapsed lung, fractured ribs, jaw and skull, as well as a multitude of other serious injuries. He is currently on a ventilator. The care he requires is intensive and ongoing. This situation will put considerable strain on the Smith family over the coming days and weeks. They will need to navigate one parent trying to care for PJ at home, while the other parent is with Christian,” the association explained. “This will require hotel stays, meals and fuel expenses – just to name a few things. The stress and uncertainty of this situation is unimaginable. Anyone who has been around the Smiths knows what kind, compassionate and gracious people they are. Please consider helping them in their incredible time of need so they can put their focus on caring for their ‘Little Buddy.’”

Donations are being collected through the Wyoming Highway Patrol Association at: https://wystatetroopers.org/charity-smith-family/

On Sunday, February 16, the association provided an update on Christian’s condition. 

“’Little Buddy’ Christian is still in intensive care at Children’s Hospital in Denver and continues to be strong. He is sedated due to suffering from multiple seizures caused by a large stroke as a result of his brain injury. Doctors are beginning to get his seizures under control and have informed us that he will need many years of speech and physical therapy. Mom Aby, Dad Parker and big Brother PJ continue to be with him and cheer him on, as we all do,” the association said. “Everyone’s past and future donations are helping Christian and his family in many ways and continue to greatly assist them during these trying times while Aby and Parker focus all of their time into helping Little Buddy recover from his injuries.”